Unexpected Treasure: A High Seas Adventure by Tammy Andresen Page A

narrow, swaying hall.
    As the ship leaned to the right, Sarah crashed into the wall and water splashed all over her front. Steadying her feet, she kept moving down the hallway. But this time, tears pricked at her eyes.
    Cook was most likely correct. They would perish in this storm and her uncle would have his way after all. She should have known this trip was doomed from the first. A desperate act of a desperate woman.
    A tear slid down her cheek as she shook her head, unable to believe this is what it had come to.  A shadow crossed her path, for a split second, she simply thought the lamp lighting the hall was simply swinging with the rocking of the ship. But as the boat righted itself, the shadow remained in place.
    Slowly she turned to see a man looming over her. Tall and dark, fear prickled over every inch of her skin. He was wet from the storm and it slicked back his hair, adding to his menacing appearance. Instinct took over. Taking a deep breath, she opened her mouth to scream.
    His hand covered her mouth. “Please don’t scream. We are here to help you.”
    Without waiting for confirmation, he began pulling her down the hall and away from her friend and towards the hatch. It took several steps for her mind to register what was happening. His hand was like a vice around her upper arm and he pulled her effortlessly as if she weighed nothing at all. Attempting to pull away, she didn’t break his stride at all. Any woman one her own would be frightened out of her wits, but she’d been looking over her shoulder for so long, she barely talked to anyone save Cook, Anne and Mrs. Flannery, that desperation was seeping in. Was this man a pirate? Worse, had he been sent by her Uncle to take her back?
    “Stop.” Her voice was still muffled by his hand and he ignored her, continuing to propel her away from Anne. She pulled harder but his arm came around her waist. Dimly she registered that his arm was pure muscle as it wrapped around her.
    “Stop,” she cried more loudly but he still disregarded her protests. Not knowing what else to do, she sank her teeth into his hand.
    “Bloody hell!” he yelled is as hand withdrew from her mouth.
    “Please, I beg you, don’t do this. I’ve nothing for you.”
    He looked near shocked, as he assessed her. “Why, you’re a proper lady.” He stared down at her, his eyes drinking in the details of her face.
    Sarah cursed herself. She was dressed in very humble clothing, but he must have recognized her accent. Normally, she tried to hide it or just not speak. She’d never really been able to replicate the cockney slang of the London lower classes.
    “Ladies do not bite men’s hands.” She feebly attempted to deflect his observation as she slowly backed away. If he were a pirate, he may try to ransom her. If he was sent by her uncle, he would know she was the woman he was looking for.
    “We have to leave, time is of the essence.” His voice was incredibly pleasant. It trickled over her senses like warm honey on a cold day. Strange to find your kidnappers voice pleasant.
    “I could not possibly leave with a strange man. Who are you? Why are you here? Besides--”
    He cut her off before she could suggest he was likely a pirate, “I must insist.”
    The cries of an infant carried down the hall and Sarah turned on her heel and ran.
     

 
    UNEXPECTED TREASURE

    CHAPTER TWO
    Rex watched her run down the hall, holding the bucket. What was a beautiful debutante doing aboard this tiny merchant ship? Well he didn’t know for sure she was a debutante but she was young, ridiculously beautiful, and obviously well bred. Her accent had all the markings of money. But she had denied it when he asked. Why? A slight grin turned up the corners of his lips. Beautiful and mysterious.
    Her hips swayed and her skirts swished as she entered the room and the end of the hall. The baby’s cries grew louder as she opened the door.
    The door closed but Rex stood there, looking at the spot where an